Living in soggy, disease-ridden marshes, boggards are often isolated from other humanoids—a condition that breeds suspicion of foreign visitors, ideas, and technology. This marginalization has distilled their brutality to the point where the strongest members subjugate and often consume their weaker kin. At the top of the food chain stand the boggards' priest-kings (a term that applies to both male and female rulers)—tyrannical prophets who rule over their uneducated subjects.
A boggard's life begins in a spawning pool as one of roughly a dozen gelatinous eggs laid in a frothy clutch. After a month-long gestation, the tadpoles gnaw their way out of their eggs and spend the following 9 months feeding on anything they can find—including weak and unlucky siblings. During this time, the tadpoles grow stubby arms and legs that quickly elongate and strengthen enough for them to crawl out of the pools. This feat isn't enough to secure them a place in boggard society, since caretakers cull the weakest and any showing signs of deformities.
The exceptions to this rule are the priest-king's offspring, who are fed meals of poisonous dragonflies. This diet kills most, and those few who survive develop differently from other boggards. Some have greater mental capacity and spell-like abilities, marking them as potential future priest-kings. But many survivors mature into the stunted, barely intelligent horrors known as bogwiggles.
Young boggards live in cadres that comprise a dozen or more adolescents led by a handful of more experienced warriors. The youths receive a modicum of care and protection during the first year out of water, during which they learn the practical skills necessary for life and service to their ruler. Virtually all boggards receive the same type of training, which emphasizes athletic prowess, hunting skills, and a broad set of rudimentary crafts.
When boggards reach roughly 3 years of age, they are considered adults and are sent away from the community for a month-long ritual hunt. Those who return with the corpse of a sapient humanoid earn approval, a place in the society, and a grand celebratory meal. Those who fail are exiled or consumed.
Priest-kings are typically larger than their kin, sometimes growing so bloated and ponderous he seems to belong to a different species entirely. Their effective monopoly on divine magic further reinforces the gap between rulers and their subjects. When the reigning priest-king dies (often from violence), the heirs compete to claim the throne. The victor almost always kills off her siblings to reinforce her claim.
Boggards are extremely fertile, and their culture encourages them to reproduce as often as resources permit. Despite the large number of young, systemic cannibalism keeps the boggard population in check. Boggards embrace this practice as a way of weeding out the weak and empowering the strong, though the fact that even the youngest offspring engage in it suggests cannibalism is instinctive—an expression of the species' ravenous appetite.
Nonetheless, as survivors of numerous broods born in competitive environments, boggards are highly adaptive, capable of weathering ecological disasters and evolving to exploit new environments—much to the frustration of other intelligent creatures that compete with them. What many think of as the "typical" boggard is well adapted to life in marshes, yet boggards also thrive in rainforests, where they often develop more colorful skin patterns. Like the amphibians they resemble, some boggards have developed the ability to estivate, allowing them to survive extended droughts and food shortages. As a result, it's rare but not impossible to find boggards exploiting periods of rain in deserts, during which time they are especially aggressive.
Boggard settlements are usually arranged in a manner that reinforces the hierarchy. The priest-king's dwelling stands near the center on a low, ziggurat-like mound of compacted mud, and those mounds claimed by direct subordinates radiate outward. The higher the mound and the closer it is to the monarch's home, the greater the resident boggard's status. The creatures further display their importance by studding their homes with bones, shells, reeds, and various exotic materials. Stealing a neighbor's ornaments often leads to violence—but if the thief is victorious, then clearly she was right to take what she wanted.
Hunting and gathering make up the bulk of the boggards' way of life, and their crafts are typically limited to simple constructions of stone and organic matter. Some priest-kings intentionally rotate who is working on a project to keep any one boggard from becoming exceptional. What boggards can't make or gather, they steal from other humanoids. Metal items are rare in boggard society—most metals simply can't withstand long-term exposure to a damp environment. Magic weapons and armor are therefore prized for their resistance to corrosion.
Two beliefs are central to boggards' religious and spiritual experience. First, the weak should be recycled to empower the strong, from cannibalizing the infirm to claiming the weapons of a fallen comrade to stealing a neighbor's home. Second, might makes right, especially for the priest-king, whose divine power is typically bestowed by an evil god or demon lord. Common boggards' reliance on their leader for spiritual guidance breeds a debilitating superstition in many. Those who can't abide by the beliefs of boggard society are cast out, and boggards who hear tales of these hermits respond with a mix of disdain and uneasiness.
Metamorphosis fascinates boggards, from the development of their young to the transformation of priest-kings. Those who parley with boggards can sometimes awe the creatures with transformative magic.
Full statistics for boggards can be found in their Bestiary entry.
New Rules
The following rules include racial traits, favored class options, feats, spells, and magic items all specially tailored to boggards.
Alternate Racial Traits
The following racial traits may be selected instead of existing boggard racial traits.
Estivation: Not all marshes are wet year-round, and some boggards have adapted to life in seasonal swamps where hot, arid conditions are common. A boggard with this racial trait can spend 1 hour burying herself in wet or soft earth and entering a state of suspended animation for an indefinite amount of time. While estivating, a boggard doesn't need to drink or eat, but takes a penalty on Perception checks as if sleeping. Ending this dormant state is a full-round action. This racial trait replaces a boggard's racial bonus on Acrobatics checks to jump.
Leaper: Boggards in some regions have legs better suited to explosive movement on land rather than swift propulsion underwater. Boggards with this trait are always considered to have a running start when attempting Acrobatics checks to jump, and their swim speeds are reduced by 15 feet.
Priest-King: Boggards raised on a diet of blue dragonfly pulp sometimes develop into priest-kings. These boggards have only a +2 natural armor bonus but don't take the common boggard's –2 racial penalty to Dexterity and Intelligence. In addition, priest-kings receive a +4 racial bonus to Wisdom and gain the following spell-like abilities: 1/day—fog cloud, jump, summon swarm . The caster level for these effects is equal to the boggard's Hit Dice. This racial trait doesn't replace any of a boggard's other features, but it's extremely rare and available only at the GM's discretion.
Favored Class Options
The following options are available to all boggards that have the listed favored class, and unless otherwise stated, the bonus applies each time you select the class reward.
Barbarian: Add 1 on the barbarian's Acrobatics checks to jump.
Bard: Reduce the amount of time the bard must wait before using his terrifying croak ability by 5 minutes (minimum 5 minutes).
Fighter: Increase the hit points of the fighter's tongue by 1 and add 1/2 on all opposed Strength checks to prevent a creature from detaching the fighter's tongue.
Ranger: Add 1/4 to a single existing favored terrain bonus (maximum +2 per favored terrain).
Boggard Feats
Boggards have access to the following feats.
Your vocal chords are especially tough and allow you to croak more often.
Prerequisites: Boggard, terrifying croak.
Benefits: You gain one extra use of terrifying croak per hour. If your recharge time is less than 1 hour, you instead gain an extra use each time the ability recharges.
Powerful Tongue
Unlike others of your kind, you are able to pull your prey toward yourself.
Prerequisites: Str 17, sticky tongue.
Benefits: Your tongue attack gains the pull special ability. At the start of your turn, if your tongue is attached to a target of your size or smaller and you succeed at a combat maneuver check, you can pull the target 5 feet closer to you as free action.
Sonic Croak
Your croak creates powerful sound waves that you can direct at fragile targets.
Prerequisites: Throat Pouch*, boggard, terrifying croak.
Benefits: When you use your terrifying croak ability, instead of it imparting its normal effect, you can choose to deal 1d4 points of sonic damage to creatures in a 15-foot cone (Fortitude half). The DC of this Fortitude save is the same as that of your terrifying croak. For every 3 Hit Dice you possess, the damage dealt increases by 1d4.
Special: The Throat Pouch feat increases the size of this feat's cone by 5 feet for every 6 HD you have, not every 2 HD.
Stunning Croak
The terrifying force of your croak disorients and debilitates your enemies.
Prerequisites: Sonic Croak*, Throat Pouch*, boggard, terrifying croak.
Benefits: When you use your terrifying croak ability, instead of imparting its normal effect you can choose to stun one creature within 30 feet for 1 round. If the target succeeds at a Fortitude save, it is instead staggered for 1 round. The DC of this Fortitude save is the same as that of your terrifying croak ability.
Throat Pouch
You can swell your throat to amplify and broadcast your vocalizations over vast distances.
Prerequisites: Boggard, terrifying croak.
Benefits: The range of your terrifying croak ability increases by 5 feet for every 2 Hit Dice you have (maximum 30-foot increase). While speaking Boggard or wordlessly vocalizing, you can swell your throat pouch as a free action to reduce the Perception DC needed to hear your voice by an amount equal to your Hit Dice.
Special: The benefits of Throat Pouch and any feats that use it as a prerequisite are available only while you're wearing light, medium, or no armor.
Boggard Spell
Boggard priest-kings see no problem with feeding off the labor and energy of their own tribe, believing themselves to embody all that is great and worthy in their own kind. The following spell takes this even further, allowing boggard priests to literally leech away their kin's life force.
Aura of Cannibalism
School necromancy [evil]; Level cleric 3, sorcerer/wizard 3, witch 3
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a piece of flesh from another creature of your species)
Range personal
Area 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on you
Duration 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw Fortitude negates; Spell Resistance yes
You emanate an aura that saps the strength of others of your kind and channels their energy into you. Each round that a creature starts its turn in the spell's area and shares both your creature type and at least one subtype you possess (if any), that creature must succeed at a Fortitude save or take 1d4 points of damage. You gain a number of temporary hit points equal to the amount of damage you deal with this spell (maximum 10 + your caster level). These temporary hit points go away when the spell ends.
As long as you have at least 5 temporary hit points while this spell is in effect, you gain a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. If you have 15 or more temporary hit points, this competence bonus increases to +2.
Boggard Magic Items
Ordinary boggards are rarely proficient at crafting mundane items, as priest-kings see such skill in subordinates as a threat to their authority. The priest-kings, instead encourage their priestly progeny to manufacture prized magic items for them.
Cap of Enervation
Price 3,500 gp; Slot head; CL 5th; Weight —; Aura faint necromancy
This floppy leather hat allows a boggard or other froglike creature to drain the strength of those it strikes with its tongue attack. If the wearer ends its turn with its tongue attached to or grappling another creature, the grappled creature takes a –1 penalty to Strength, and the wearer's tongue gains 5 temporary hit points. The penalty and temporary hit points last for 1 minute. For each round that the target remains attached, the Strength penalty increases by 1, the tongue gains an additional 5 temporary hit points (maximum 10), and the duration resets.
Construction Requirements
Cost 1,750 gp
Craft Wondrous Item, ray of enfeeblement, vampiric touch
Venomsweat Salve
Price 2,500 gp; Slot none; CL 7th; Weight —; Aura moderate necromancy
When applied to a creature's skin, scales, or carapace, this greasy unguent causes that creature to sweat poison from its pores. During this time, a creature that strikes the user with a natural weapon attack or unarmed strike is exposed to the poison. As a swift action, the user can apply the poison to a weapon. As a standard action, the user can deliver the poison as a touch attack. The salve creates a total of 3 doses of venomsweat poison, and any unused doses of poison harmlessly evaporate after 1 hour.
Venomsweat : Contact or injury; save Fort DC 16; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d3 Dexterity damage; cure 1 save.
Construction Requirements
Cost 1,250 gp
Craft Wondrous Item, poison
Example Boggards
Boggard Fighters
Boggard fighters make up the majority of war parties.
Boggard Brute CR 3
XP 800
Boggard fighter 1
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +5
Defense
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+2 armor, +1 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 34 (4 HD; 3d8+1d10+16)
Fort +8, Ref +2, Will +2
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee mwk morningstar +9 (1d8+6), tongue +2 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged mwk javelin +5 (1d6+4)
Special Attacks terrifying croak (DC 13)
Tactics
During Combat The boggard brute throws his javelins before rushing into combat.
Statistics
Str 19, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 10
Base Atk +3; CMB +7; CMD 18
Feats Intimidating Prowess, Toughness, Weapon Focus (morningstar)
Skills Acrobatics +4 (+20 when jumping), Intimidate +9, Perception +5, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Swim +12
Languages Boggard
SQ hold breath, swamp stride
Combat Gear potions of barkskin (2) ; Other Gear leather armor, mwk javelins (2), mwk morningstar, 132 gp
Boggard brutes may be armed with primitive-looking weapons, yet their terrifying strength makes them as deadly as any knight in armor.
Boggard Champion CR 7
XP 3,200
Boggard fighter 5
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +5
Defense
AC 22, touch 11, flat-footed 21 (+6 armor, +1 Dex, +3 natural, +2 shield)
hp 72 (8 HD; 3d8+5d10+32)
Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +3 (+1 vs. fear)
Defensive Abilities bravery +1
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee +1 terbutje +15/+10 (1d8+9), tongue +7 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged mwk javelin +9 (1d6+5)
Special Attacks terrifying croak (DC 12), weapon training (heavy blades +1)
Tactics
During Combat The boggard champion uses her terrifying croak before engaging in melee.
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +7; CMB +12; CMD 23
Feats Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Toughness, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (terbutje), Weapon Specialization (terbutje)
Skills Acrobatics +2 (+18 when jumping), Climb +6, Intimidate +6, Perception +5, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Survival +8, Swim +10
Languages Boggard
SQ armor training 1, hold breath, swamp stride
Combat Gear potion of bull's strength, potion of cure serious wounds ; Other Gear +1 black dragonhide scale mail, mwk heavy wooden shield, +1 terbutje, mwk javelins (2), 282 gp
Most boggard champions forsake tactics in favor of mayhem. In magic-deficient tribes, champions are often second only to priest-kings in status.
Boggard Oddities
A few boggards serve their tribes in specialized roles.
Boggard Farcroaker CR 3
XP 800
Boggard bard 2
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +11
Defense
AC 15, touch 10, flat-footed 15 (+2 armor, +3 natural)
hp 32 (5d8+10)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +5; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee mwk shortspear +5 (1d6+1), tongue –1 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged shortspear +4 (1d6+1)
Special Attacks bardic performance 8 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 13], inspire courage +1), terrifying croak (DC 15)
Bard Spells Known (CL 2nd; concentration +4)
1st (3/day)—alarm, grease (DC 13), ventriloquism (DC 13)
0 (at will)—dancing lights, daze (DC 12), flare (DC 12), ghost sound (DC 12), message
Statistics
Str 13, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 14
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 14
Feats Skill Focus (Perform [sing]), Sonic Croak, Throat Pouch
Skills Acrobatics +6 (+22 when jumping), Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (geography, history, nature, nobility) +7, Linguistics +5, Perception +11, Perform (sing) +13, Stealth +5 (+13 in swamps), Swim +9
Languages Boggard, Common, Draconic
SQ bardic knowledge +1, hold breath, swamp stride, versatile performance (Perform [sing])
Gear leather armor, mwk shortspear, shortspear, 468 gp
Boggard Abyssal Warrior CR 8
XP 4,800
Boggard antipaladin 7
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +3
Aura cowardice (10 ft.)
Defense
AC 20, touch 10, flat-footed 20 (+7 armor, +3 natural)
hp 98 (10 HD; 3d8+7d10+47)
Fort +14, Ref +6, Will +8
Immune disease
Offense
Speed 15 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee +1 greataxe +16/+11 (1d12+8/19–20/×3), tongue +9 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged throwing axe +9 (1d6+5)
Special Attacks channel negative energy (DC 15, 4d6), smite good 3/day (+2 attack and AC, +7 damage), terrifying croak (DC 15)
Antipaladin Spell-Like Abilities (CL 7th; concentration +9)
At will—detect good
Antipaladin Spells Prepared (CL 4th; concentration +6)
2nd—invisibility
1st—death knell (DC 13), doom (DC 13)
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 11, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 14
Base Atk +9; CMB +14; CMD 24
Feats Improved Critical (greataxe), Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Toughness, Weapon Focus (greataxe)
Skills Acrobatics +0 (+16 when jumping), Bluff +6, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (religion) +3, Perception +3, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Swim +10
Languages Boggard
SQ cruelties (sickened, staggered), fiendish boon (weapon +1, 1/day), hold breath, swamp stride, touch of corruption 5/day (3d6)
Combat Gear potions of cure moderate wounds (3) ; Other Gear +1 breastplate, +1 greataxe, throwing axe, cloak of resistance +1, 922 gp
Boggard Barbarians
Boggard barbarians are terrifying and unpredictable.
Boggard Savage CR 4
XP 1,200
Boggard barbarian 2
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +10
Defense
AC 15, touch 8, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +3 natural, –2 rage)
hp 61 (5 HD; 3d8+2d12+30)
Fort +12, Ref +3, Will +4
Defensive Abilities uncanny dodge
Offense
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee mwk greatclub +12 (1d10+9), tongue +5 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged javelin +4 (1d6+6)
Special Attacks rage (10 rounds/day), rage powers (no escape), terrifying croak (DC 12)
Tactics
Base Statistics When not raging, the barbarian's statistics are AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17; hp 51; Fort +10, Will +2; Melee mwk greatclub +10 (1d10+6), tongue +3 touch (sticky tongue); Str 19, Con 18; CMB +8; Skills Climb +9, Swim +17.
Statistics
Str 23, Dex 11, Con 22, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +4; CMB +10; CMD 18
Feats Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (greatclub)
Skills Acrobatics +6 (+22 when jumping), Climb +11, Intimidate +4, Perception +10, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Swim +19
Languages Boggard
SQ fast movement, hold breath, swamp stride
Combat Gear oil of magic weapon, potions of cure moderate wounds (2); Other Gear +1 studded leather, javelins (3), mwk greatclub, 269 gp
Boggard Scarred One CR 6
XP 2,400
Boggard barbarian 4
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +12
Defense
AC 14, touch 7, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, –1 Dex, +3 natural, –2 rage)
hp 86 (7 HD; 3d8+4d12+42)
Fort +13, Ref +3, Will +5; +3 vs. magic
Defensive Abilities uncanny dodge, trap sense +1
Offense
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee +1 spear +15/+10 (1d8+11/×3), tongue +8 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged javelin +5 (1d6+7)
Special Attacks rage (14 rounds/day), rage powers (knockback, superstition +3), terrifying croak (DC 14)
Tactics
Base Statistics When not raging, the barbarian's statistics are AC 16, touch 9, flat-footed 16; hp 72; Fort +11, Will +3; Melee +1 spear +13/+8 (1d8+8/×3), tongue +6 touch (sticky tongue); Str 20, Con 18; CMB +11; Skills Climb +10, Swim +18.
Statistics
Str 24, Dex 9, Con 22, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 12
Base Atk +6; CMB +13; CMD 20
Feats Endurance, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (spear)
Skills Acrobatics +5 (+21 when jumping), Climb +12, Intimidate +8, Perception +12, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Swim +20
Languages Boggard
SQ fast movement, hold breath, swamp stride
Combat Gear potions of cure serious wounds (2), potion of shield of faith ; Other Gear +1 studded leather, +1 spear, javelins (3), 70 gp
Boggard Mystics
These casters are often the children of the priest-king.
Boggard Swampseer CR 4
XP 1,200
Boggard druid 3
NE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +12
Defense
AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+3 armor, +1 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 41 (6d8+15)
Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +7
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee mwk club +8 (1d6+3), tongue +1 touch (sticky tongue)
Special Attacks icicle (1d6+1 cold damage, 5/day), terrifying croak (DC 14)
Druid Spells Prepared (CL 3rd; concentration +5)
2nd—bull's strength, burst of nettles D, summon swarm
1st—entangle (DC 13), hydraulic push, longstrider, shillelagh
0 (at will)—flare (DC 12), guidance, mending, resistance
D domain spell; Domain Swamp
Statistics
Str 15, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 12
Base Atk +4; CMB +6; CMD 17
Feats Improved Initiative, Toughness, Weapon Focus (club)
Skills Acrobatics +4 (+20 when jumping), Handle Animal +7, Heal +8, Knowledge (nature) +8, Perception +12, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Survival +10, Swim +10
Languages Boggard, Druidic
SQ hold breath, nature bond (Swamp domain), nature sense, swamp stride, trackless step, wild empathy +4, woodland stride
Combat Gear scroll of barkskin, scroll of fog cloud, wand of cure light wounds (30 charges); Other Gear +1 leather armor, mwk club, cloak of resistance +1, 240 gp
Boggard Prophet CR 5
XP 1,600
Boggard sorcerer 4
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +3
Defense
AC 13, touch 10, flat-footed 13 (+1 deflection, –1 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 59 (7 HD; 3d8+4d6+32)
Fort +8, Ref +2, Will +5; +2 vs. poison
Resist electricity 5
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +10 (1d4+5), tongue +4 (plus sticky tongue)
Ranged sling +3 (1d4+5)
Special Attacks claws (1d6+5, 5 rounds/day), terrifying croak (DC 15)
Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 4th; concentration +6)
2nd (4/day)—summon monster II
1st (7/day)—burning hands (DC 13), cause fear (DC 13), mage armor, summon monster I
0 (at will)—acid splash, detect magic, detect poison, ghost sound (DC 12), message, resistance
Bloodline abyssal
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 9, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 14
Base Atk +4; CMB +9; CMD 19
Feats Combat Casting, Eschew Materials, Improved Initiative, Toughness, Weapon Focus (claw)
Skills Acrobatics +2 (+18 when jumping), Intimidate +6, Knowledge (planes) +5, Perception +3, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Swim +13, Use Magic Device +9
Languages Boggard
SQ bloodline arcana (summoned creatures gain DR 2/good), hold breath, swamp stride
Combat Gear potion of invisibility, scrolls of blindness/deafness (2), scroll of enlarge person ; Other Gear sling with 10 bullets, cloak of resistance +1, elixir of vision, ring of protection +1, 75 gp
Boggard Rangers
Boggard rangers stalk silently through the swamps.
Boggard Hunter CR 5
XP 1,600
Boggard ranger 3
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +14
Defense
AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+4 armor, +1 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 53 (6 HD; 3d8+3d10+24)
Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +4
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee morningstar +9 (1d8+4), tongue +4 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged mwk composite longbow +8 (1d8+4/×3)
Special Attacks combat style (archery), favored enemy (reptilian humanoids +2), terrifying croak (DC 12)
Statistics
Str 19, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; CMB +9; CMD 20
Feats Endurance, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Toughness, Weapon Focus (composite longbow)
Skills Acrobatics +5 (+21 when jumping), Knowledge (nature) +5, Perception +14, Stealth +8 (+16 in swamps), Survival +8, Swim +12
Languages Boggard
SQ favored terrain (swamp +2), hold breath, swamp stride, track +1, wild empathy +2
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds ; Other Gear +1 studded leather, morningstar, mwk composite longbow (+4 Str), cloak of resistance +1, 267 gp
Boggard Stalker CR 9
XP 6,400
Boggard ranger 7
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +18
Defense
AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+4 armor, +1 deflection, +1 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 95 (10 HD; 3d8+7d10+44)
Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +5
Offense
Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee +1 handaxe +14/+9 (1d6+6/19–20/×3), +1 handaxe +14/+9 (1d6+6/19–20/×3), tongue +9 touch (sticky tongue)
Ranged javelin +10 (1d6+5)
Special Attacks combat style (two-weapon), favored enemy (dragons +2, humans +4), terrifying croak (DC 12)
Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 4th; concentration +5)
1st—longstrider, resist energy
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +9; CMB +14; CMD 26
Feats Double Slice, Endurance, Improved Critical (handaxe), Improved Initiative, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Toughness, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (handaxe)
Skills Acrobatics +5 (+21 when jumping), Climb +9, Handle Animal +4, Knowledge (nature) +5, Perception +18, Stealth +14 (+22 in swamps), Survival +14, Swim +17
Languages Boggard
SQ favored terrain (swamp +2), hold breath, hunter's bond (companions), swamp stride, track +3, wild empathy +6, woodland stride
Combat Gear potion of barkskin, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of invisibility ; Other Gear +1 studded leather, +1 handaxes (2), javelins (3), cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, 360 gp
Boggard Priest-King
The leaders of boggard tribes rarely involve themselves personally in combat, but once they wade in, they are terrifyingly effective.
Boggard Priest-King CR 11
XP 12,800
Boggard cleric 10
CE Medium humanoid (boggard)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +9
Defense
AC 20, touch 9, flat-footed 20 (+6 armor, –1 Dex, +4 natural, +1 shield)
hp 120 (13d8+62)
Fort +14, Ref +6, Will +14
Resist cold 10
Offense
Speed 15 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee +1 morningstar +15/+10 (1d8+5), tongue +8 touch (sticky tongue)
Special Attacks channel negative energy 5/day (DC 17, 5d6), scythe of evil (5 rounds, 1/day), terrifying croak (DC 15)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 13th; concentration +15)
1/day—fog cloud, jump, summon swarm
Domain Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th; concentration +15)
8/day—icicle (1d6+5 cold), touch of evil (5 rounds)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 10th; concentration +15)
5th—dispel good D (DC 20), insect plague, righteous might, slay living (DC 20)
4th—control water D, cure critical wounds, divine power, freedom of movement, unholy blight(DC 19)
3rd—bestow curse (DC 18), dispel magic, invisibility purge, magic circle against good D, magic vestment
2nd—bear's endurance, death knell (DC 17), enthrall (DC 17), fog cloud D, resist energy, sound burst (DC 17)
1st—bane (DC 16), bless, cure light wounds, divine favor, protection from good D, sanctuary (DC 16), shield of faith
0 (at will)—create water, detect poison, guidance, purify food and water
D domain spell; Domains Evil, Water
Tactics
During Combat The priest-king sits back with lazy arrogance, casting the occasional spell and allowing his minions to protect him until he is forced to intervene personally.
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 9, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 20, Cha 14
Base Atk +9; CMB +13; CMD 22
Feats Brew Potion, Combat Casting, Craft Wand, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Toughness, Weapon Focus (morningstar)
Skills Acrobatics +0 (+16 when jumping), Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (planes) +8, Knowledge (religion) +8, Perception +9, Sense Motive +13, Spellcraft +8, Stealth +0 (+8 in swamps), Swim +10
Languages Boggard
SQ hold breath, priest-king*, swamp stride
Combat Gear wand of cure light wounds (35 charges), wand of owl's wisdom (25 charges), wand of prayer (13 charges); Other Gear +2 hide armor, mwk light wooden shield, +1 morningstar, amulet of natural armor +1, cloak of resistance +1, spell component pouch, 24 gp
Boggard priest-kings are the undisputed lords of their tribes, interpreting the wills of their dark patron deities (wills that are often suspiciously similar to what the priest-kings themselves desire). Grotesquely large, a boggard priest-king is usually the tribe's most capable combatant, and acts as a champion when needed.
Bogwiggle
This sallow-green beast appears to be an oversized tadpole that never fully matured, with two large, bulbous eyes bulging from either side of its head, and a gaping mouth revealing jagged fangs.
Bogwiggle CR 1
XP 400
CE Small aberration (aquatic)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +1
DEFENSE
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+1 Dex, +1 size)
hp 16 (3d8+3)
Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +4
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.
Melee bite +4 (1d4+1), tongue –1 touch (sticky tongue)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with tongue)
STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 13
Feats Improved Initiative, Power Attack
Skills Acrobatics +5, Perception +1 (+5 in swamps), Stealth +9 (+17 in swamps), Swim +13; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception in swamps, +8 Stealth in swamps
Languages Boggard (can't speak)
SQ amphibious, swamp stride
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate swamps
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–6)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Sticky Tongue (Ex) A creature hit by a bogwiggle's tongue attack can't move more than 10 feet away from the bogwiggle and takes a –2 penalty to AC as long as the tongue is attached (this penalty does not stack if multiple tongues are attached). The tongue can be removed by succeeding at an opposed Strength check as a standard action or by dealing 2 points of slashing damage to the tongue (AC 11, damage doesn't deplete the bogwiggle's actual hit points). The bogwiggle can't move more than 10 feet away from the target while attached. It can release its tongue's grip as a free action. Like a boggard, a bogwiggle can't pull targets toward it with its tongue.
Swamp Stride (Ex) A bogwiggle can move through any sort of natural difficult terrain at its normal speed while within a swamp. Magically altered terrain affects a bogwiggle normally.
Also known as toad-hounds, bogwiggles are the stunted, degenerate spawn of boggard priest-kings—these are the young who survived their meals of poisonous dragonflies, but failed to develop properly. They appear to be dog-sized tadpoles that have stopped halfway through the transformation to full-fledged frogs. A single set of long legs sprouts from a bogwiggle's bulbous body, and a frilled, whiplike tail protrudes from its back. Barely more intelligent than ordinary dogs, bogwiggles spend the majority of their short, violent lives serving as hunting companions and guard animals for their capricious, toadlike masters.
Bogwiggles can live up to 20 years, but because of swamp predators and the cruelty of their masters, most die long before reaching the age of 10. Bogwiggles always have the same skin tone as the boggards with which they live—typically gray, green, or black. Just as with boggards, bogwiggles lose their coloring as they age, and particularly old bogwiggles are often pale gray or almost white. The average bogwiggle is just under 3-1/2 feet long, not counting the tail—which itself is around 6 feet long. Most bogwiggles weigh roughly 65 pounds, but larger specimens have been reported by adventurers and scholars.
Despite being mistreated by their boggard masters, bogwiggles have a curiously strong affinity for them, and are intensely loyal to their tribes. Some scholars theorize that this fealty is a primitive version of a boggard's natural tribalism or religious inclinations, yet other observers have suggested that bogwiggles believe themselves capable of transformation into full boggards through unwavering devotion to their boggard superiors.
Encounters
Despite boggards' generalized training, natural divergences in ability mean adventurers traveling through marshes and neighboring environments might encounter groups of boggards with wildly different compositions.
Exiles (CR 7)
Those boggards the tribe doesn't accept are devoured by their betters or cast out. Frequently, exiles are those with strange powers or markings whom their superstitious kin stubbornly refused to allow in the village, but considered too powerful to challenge directly.
Boggard Farcroaker CR 3
XP 800
hp 32
Boggard Prophet CR 5
XP 1,600
hp 59
Boggard Swampseer CR 4
XP 1,200
hp 41
Scouts (CR 8)
Scouting parties use farcroakers to communicate as they patrol tribal borders, traveling quickly and stealthily.
Boggard Farcroakers (2) CR 3
XP 800 each
hp 32 each
Boggard Hunters (2) CR 5
XP 1,600 each
hp 53 each
Hunting Party (CR 11)
Boggards crave meat—from beasts and sapient creatures alike—and even when a priest-king doesn't dispatch formal hunting parties, boggards form small bands to track down, slaughter, and bring back flesh.
Boggard Hunters (2) CR 5
XP 1,600 each
hp 53 each
Boggard Stalker CR 9
XP 6,400
hp 95
Boggards (4) CR 2
XP 600 each
hp 22 each
Royal Court (CR 13)
A priest-king and his royal advisors make for formidable foes.
Boggard Abyssal Warrior CR 8
XP 4,800
hp 98
Boggard Champions (2) CR 7
XP 3,200 each
hp 72 each
Boggard Priest-King CR 11
XP 12,800
hp 120
Boggard Prophet CR 5
XP 1,600
hp 59
